Overview

The Women Studies Department offers a Master of Arts Degree in Women Studies. This degree program is interdisciplinary, enabling students to combine core and elective courses in Women Studies with electives in other departments and programs across the campus. The program has a strong international focus, and enables students to pursue advanced multicultural study 1) of women's history, culture, status and contributions; and 2) feminist scholarship, movements, and practices.
The M.A. will provide a base of knowledge for students wishing to do doctoral work on women's issues in such fields as Literature, History, Sociology, Anthropology, and Ethnic Studies. It will also provide a foundation for further graduate work in professional degree programs such as Counseling, Social Work Law and Public Health. The M.A. will enhance students' ability to participate professionally in a range of organizations and businesses in the public and private sector, particularly those addressing women's issues.

Deadline is February 1st, for the following fall semester. We do not admit students in the spring.

Admission to the Program

In order to be admitted to the program, students must meet all general University requirements. They must also possess a bachelor's degree in Women Studies from an accredited institution or take 9-12 upper division undergraduate units on advisement in Women Studies at San Francisco State University. These courses will not count toward the M.A. degree. Students are expected to possess a grade point average of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester units that they attempted for their bachelor's degree.

In addition to the general application for admission to the University, applicants must provide the Women Studies Graduate Admissions Committee with the following items:

(1) Official transcripts of all previous coursework

(2) A written statement of background, intentions, and goals, including experience in women studies and with women's issues; rationale for pursuing the M.A. degree; and relation of the M.A. degree in women Studies to prior academic work and to career objectives;

(3) Two scholarly letters of reference from individuals with direct knowledge of the applicant's scholarly ability;

(4) A copy of California State University Graduate Application for admissions.

See SFSU Graduate Studies site for application requirements and current application deadlines.

Core Requirements = 15 units

WOMS 700: Introduction to Graduate Studies (3)
WOMS 710: Women's Consciousness and Resistance (3)
WOMS 712: Feminist Approaches to Sexual Identities, Practices, and Cultures (3)
WOMS 713: Feminist Theories (3)
WOMS 820: Feminist Research Methods (3)

One of the following on advisement = 3 units

WOMS 750: Issues in Gender, Race, Class and Sexuality (3)
WOMS 760: Issues in Women's Literature and Culture (3)
WOMS 770: Issues in Women and Public Policy (3)

One of the following on advisement = 3 units
(For more information, see the culminating requirements page)

WOMS 894: Creative Work Project (3)
WOMS 895: Field Study Project (3)
WOMS 898: Master's Thesis

Subtotal = 9
Related Field Units (upon approval of major advisor) = 9

Total Units = 30

Written English Proficiency

First Level: Satisfactory performance in the final research paper for WOMS 700

Second Level: Successful completion of WOMS 894, 895, or 898

Advancement to Candidacy:

Filing Graduate Approved Program

The Graduate Approved Program (GAP) is filed after the student has completed a minimum of 12 units, with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better, and before completing 27 units of work applicable to the M.A. degree. Once GAP is approved, the student is advanced to candidacy.

Courses for this discipline are listed under Women Studies in the "Announcement of Courses" section of the present campus bulletin and on the Women Studies Courses page. A current schedule of courses is avaiable online on the SFSU Class Schedule page.Further information may also be found at the San Francisco State University Graduate Division home page.

Online Class Schedule
Class schedule for the current semester.

Related Masters and Ph.D. Program Information
http://www.sfsu.edu/~woms/phd.html

FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions about applying to the Women Studies MA Program.